Author: Vincent Osuwo

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state presented a N757 billion budget proposal for 2026 to the state House of Assembly for approval. Soludo stated that the proposed budget, titled ‘Changing Gears 3.0: Solution Continues,’ represented an increased emphasis on the implementation of his administration’s revolutionary strategy. He stated that capital expenditures totaled N595.3 billion, accounting for 79% of the budget. According to him, N 161.6 billion was budgeted for recurrent expenditure, which accounts for 21% of the entire budget amount. The governor stated that the budget has a deficit of N225.7 billion, which would be covered by hybrid funding alternatives,…

Chief Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum, has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, requesting a mutually agreed-upon date to respond to its invitation about an alleged $14.8 million fraud. Sylva, in a letter personally signed and delivered to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, criticized the commission’s decision to designate him wanted, claiming that he had never declined any valid invitation. The letter, dated November 24 and acknowledged by the EFCC on November 26, indicated that he was receiving immediate medical care for a “life-threatening condition.” He said he was speaking with his medical staff to…

The Federal Government criticized the military coup in Guinea-Bissau, describing it as a major danger to democracy and regional stability. The Federal Government, in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Thursday, said it learned of the development “with profound dismay and deep concern,” accusing the coup of resulting in “an unconstitutional change of government in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.” According to the administration, it “condemns this act of military insurrection, which undermines the democratic progress, constitutional order, and stability not only of Guinea-Bissau but of the entire West African sub-region.” It…

The Senate on Wednesday took a hard position against the country’s deteriorating security, declaring abduction a type of terrorism and urging the death penalty for offenders, with no option for penalties or judicial discretion to lessen sentences. The resolution came after hours of emotional debate sparked by the November 18 attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area, Kwara State, in which gunmen killed two worshippers and abducted 38 others. Although all of the victims were eventually rescued in combined operations by the army, police, DSS agents, and local vigilantes, MPs said the episode highlighted the frightening…

A train hit railway workers in southwest China on Thursday, killing 11, according to Yunnan provincial railway authorities. The train “used for seismic equipment testing” collided with construction workers at Kunming’s Luoyang Town station early this morning, killing 11 and wounding two, according to a statement from the Kunming Railway Bureau. This train was “passing normally through a curve inside Kunming Luoyang Town Station when a collision happened with construction workers who had entered the track area,” according to the announcement. The cause of the crash was being investigated, police said. Transportation had been restored to normal by lunchtime Thursday,…

The African Union and Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, as well as the West African Elders Forum, have condemned the suspension of presidential and legislative elections in Guinea-Bissau, followed by a military takeover. In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the electoral missions condemned what they called “a blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process” in Guinea-Bissau. The statement was signed by Filipe Nyusi, head of the African Union Election Observation Mission; Issifu Kamara, head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission; and Goodluck Jonathan, head of the West African Elders Forum. The missions urged the AU and ECOWAS…

President Bola Tinubu has urged herders to halt open grazing, surrender any illegal weapons, and embrace ranching as part of a new national strategy to address the long-running farmer-herder dispute. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the president stated that the federal government is prioritizing long-term solutions to the violent battles between herders and farming communities, which have fostered instability in numerous northern and central states. The warning comes in the midst of an increase in school kidnappings in Niger, Kebbi, and other parts of the country in the last week, as well as continuous farmer-herder violence in the North…

The Police Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, on Wednesday, reveals it has intercepted a consignment of 300 rounds of live ammunition and other contraband following credible intelligence. ASP Aminat Mayegun, the FCID’s Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed this during a press briefing in Lagos. She stated that the materials were intercepted when Margaret Ochalla, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Annex, received valid intelligence. According to Mayegun, the driver of the shipment was seized and brought in for interrogation. “A detailed search of the container conducted in the presence of the clearing agent and alleged…

Military forces in Guinea-Bissau declared “total control” of the coup-prone West African country on Wednesday, barring its borders and stopping the electoral process three days after the general elections. Their announcement came after heavy gunfire erupted near the presidential palace earlier in the day, with men in military uniform occupying the major route leading to the structure. In the early afternoon, General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, informed the press that a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces, was taking over the leadership of the country until further notice.” He read the statement while…

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has submitted a petition to the Senate requesting an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje. On Wednesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan delivered the petition on behalf of Inibehe Effiong Chambers during plenary, accusing some persons of attempting to “shield those responsible from accountability.” Ochanya, a student at the Federal Government Girls College in Gboko, died on October 17, 2018, as a result of complications associated with long-term sexual assault. The petition calls for the arrest and prosecution of the key suspect, Victor Ogbuja, as well as for the Benue State Government to challenge his…